Pictures: 10 Legendary Hartford Whalers

CaptionGordie, Marty & Mark Howe: One Big, Happy Family

COURANT FILE PHOTO

The Howes were a package deal when they signed with the World Hockey Association's New England Whalers in 1977. Gordie's wife Coleen, Marty and Mark's mother, even got a jersey as former coach and then Director of Hockey Operations Jack Kelley looks on. All three Howes - Gordie, Marty and Mark - would eventually play for the Hartford Whalers, who dropped the New England from their name as part of their move to the NHL in 1979. Gordie was 51 years old when he played in all 80 of the Whalers' games during his final season in the NHL.

The Howes were a package deal when they signed with the World Hockey Association's New England Whalers in 1977. Gordie's wife Coleen, Marty and Mark's mother, even got a jersey as former coach and then Director of Hockey Operations Jack Kelley looks on. All three Howes - Gordie, Marty and Mark - would eventually play for the Hartford Whalers, who dropped the New England from their name as part of their move to the NHL in 1979. Gordie was 51 years old when he played in all 80 of the Whalers' games during his final season in the NHL. (COURANT FILE PHOTO)

Rick Ley signed with the WHA's New England Whalers in 1972 after a four-year-stint in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is the New England Whalers franchise leader in games played (478) and penalty minutes (716) and captained the team for 6 seasons. After the Whalers moved to Hartford and joined the NHL in 1979, Ley finished his professional playing career two years later, winning the Whalers' defensive MVP award in 1980. After the move to Carolina, the Hurricanes stopped honoring Ley and McKenzie and placed the numbers back in circulation. But both still hang from the XL rafters in Hartford.

Rick Ley signed with the WHA's New England Whalers in 1972 after a four-year-stint in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is the New England Whalers franchise leader in games played (478) and penalty minutes (716) and captained the team for 6 seasons. After the Whalers moved to Hartford and joined the NHL in 1979, Ley finished his professional playing career two years later, winning the Whalers' defensive MVP award in 1980. After the move to Carolina, the Hurricanes stopped honoring Ley and McKenzie and placed the numbers back in circulation. But both still hang from the XL rafters in Hartford. (HARTFORD COURANT FILE PHOTO)

The NHL only lasted eighteen seasons in Hartford, but in that short time, fans had the chance to witness some of the greatest players in NHL history skating on the Hartford Civic Center's ice. From future Hall of Famers to up-and-coming superstars, the Hartford Whalers had their share of legends. Enjoy this trip down memory lane to a time when the XL Center was the Civic Center and home of the Whalers.